Local Sports

Salem junior Heather Henson rips a two-out single in the bottom of the seventh, scoring Miranda Haeuber (pictured) for the game winner. Photo by Greg Maxey/SCHS Wildcats Sports Photos

Comeback Win Keeps Salem's Season Alive

The Salem Lady Wildcats kept their season alive with a come-from-behind 8-7 win over Mascoutah at Tully Park in Salem Monday.

Trailing 7-0 into the bottom of the fifth, Salem scored three runs to cut into the lead. The Lady Cats started the sixth inning the same way they left off the fifth, with the first three batters reaching base. Heather Henson had a two-run double to bring the game to 7-5. Chelsey Lane came through with a two-out, two-run double that tied the game.

Salem kept the Lady Indians off the scoreboard in the seventh inning and, with the bases loaded, Henson came through with a walk-off RBI single to win the game.

Ashley West earned the win in relief for Salem, pitching two-and-two-thirds innings of shut out softball, walking one and giving up four hits.

Mallory Daniels started the game, tossing four-and-a-third innings before Coach James Holsapple made a change.

"You hate to pull somebody like Daniels who's been there and done the job for you all year. It wasn't that she was struggling to throw strikes or even hit her spots. They were just hitting her."

Holsapple offered a reason as to West's effectiveness.

"Sometimes that's all it takes is just a new look. You throw a hitter's timing off a little bit."

Henson finished the game with three singles and three runs batted in and two runs scored. Lane had a single, double, and three RBIs, Ashlynn Keen had two singles and a run scored. Jalen Wayer scored twice for the Lady Wildcats.

Holsapple said that despite facing a seven-run deficit, he never felt like his team was out of the game.

"I just felt like we could hit their pitching. It wasn't like they were going to throw it by us. And if we were patient and we drew a lot of walks, good things could still happen."

Salem, the four-seed in the 3A Centralia Regional, will face top-seed Mater Dei Tuesday at 4:30. The location has been moved due to wet field conditions at Centralia's Rotary Park. The game will be played at Kaskaskia College. Catch the broadcast at 4:15 on AM 1350 WJBD and WJBDRadio.com.

See Greg Maxey's complete photo album from the regional game HERE (and "Like" the page).